King of Hearts (1966, Fr.) (aka Le Roi de Cœur)

In director Philippe De Broca's cult classic sleeper film about the insanity of war - the satirical film was a quirky anti-war fable set at the end of WWI. In the film's basic over-stated plotline, a group of released inmates from an insane asylum were compared to the 'mad' and senseless pro-war policies of the sane world. The genesis of the film was an actual news report that about 50 patients in a bombed-out hospital escaped and donned the uniforms of dead US soldiers, but then were mistakenly massacred by German troops.

The whimsical, storybook and farcical film received poor reviews and was a box-office disaster in its home country of France, but unexpectedly was greeted with acclaim in the US. It became a major cult film due to repeated revivals during 'midnight showings' in repertory and arthouse theaters in college-towns, but never made more than $18,000 dollars. During the early 70s, US audiences (in the midst of anti-war protests against the Vietnam War and other social unrest) embraced the film and flocked to it.

The quirky film's title recalled one of the sequences in Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. Homage was paid to the quaint, now-dated and absurdist film by writer/director Emerson Bixby's comic zombie-horror film Dead End (1985), about a filmmaker shooting a documentary in a town overrun by zombies. Disney's/Pixar's WALL-e (2008) also included a scene in which defective robots declared Wall-e their "king." Director De Broca took on a brief cameo role as Adolf Hitler.

The fairy-tale film's tagline was: "Liberté! Liberté? Liberté!!!..."

• the film opened with the titles and a prologue (in French): "October 1918. The war is almost over. The Germans retreat, the Allies advance. A small town in Northern France awaits its liberation"; the title credits moved up and down in rhythm to the sounds of a large clock with a tolling bell
• in the small Northern French village of Marville toward the end of WWI, the Germans were hastily preparing to evacuate and retreat with the enemy nearing; they had placed a booby-trapped bomb in the town square's clock tower set to detonate at midnight; it was designed by the departing Germans to blow up a depot's cache of munitions ("pillbox" or "blockhouse") rather than leave it behind for the enemy; the bomb was set to go off when the armored knight figure in the steeple clock struck the gong with a mace at midnight ("It will strike for the last time"); the German Colonel Von Krack (Daniel Boulanger) was informed by his bumbling Lieutenant Hamburger (Marc Dudicourt) about the plan
• the town's barber (an Allied agent) overheard the Krauts' plans and alerted the Allied forces via radio that the city was to be explosively demolished at midnight on the following day: ("They're blowing it up!"); the resident villagers were warned to flee from the village: ("Get out! The town is going to explode!"); however, the barber was shot down while transmitting the message with only five cryptic words: "The knight strikes at midnight"

British Commander Colonel MacBibenbrook (Adolfo Celi)

Private Charles Plumpick (Alan Bates) With His Carrier Pigeons in a Cage

Plumpick Walking Toward the Town of Marville With His Bird Cage

• buffoonish British commander Colonel MacBibenbrook (Adolfo Celi) was relayed an initially confusing and misunderstood message: "The mackerel likes frying" with the added line: "Germans blowing up the munitions before midnight tomorrow. Don't enter town for God's sake. The knight strikes at midnight!"
• French-speaking Signal Corps Scottish soldier Private Charles Plumpick (Alan Bates) - an ornithologist (carrier pigeons were his specialty) and poetry-lover, was mistakenly described as the best ordinance-explosives expert, although the real munitions defuser was named Pumpernickel
• Plumpick was introduced talking to his caged carrier pigeons named Little Fat and Cucumber; he was contacted and brought in to speak with the Colonel, who had obviously confused him with the real bomb-defuser; Plumpick was instructed to "volunteer" for the job of locating a German bomb and disabling it: "Get into the town...Make contact with the local spies....Find the explosives and disarm the fuse"; although Plumpick protested that he was the wrong person (without any bomb experience), he was ignored and hurriedly sent on his way to Marville: ("We have no time to lose. The town can go up at any moment"); at the last moment, Plumpick was told the French message that had been sent by the barber
• lone, kilt-wearing, Private Plumpick - seen walking on a desolate stretch of land on the horizon, entered the evacuated French town; he was carrying a book of Shakespeare and two birds in a birdcage; when spotted by Germans, he sought to hide by finding refuge behind the locked iron gates of the local "ASILE D'ALIENES" (translated 'Insane Asylum')
• inside the asylum in one of the locked wards, Plumpick came upon a few of the inmates (stacking playing cards) who identified themselves as 'The Duke of Clubs' (Jean-Claude Brialy) and 'Monseigneur Daisy'; as the Germans questioned the inmates, Plumpick disguised himself in pajamas and took on the title of "King of Hearts" due to holding playing cards in his hands; the Germans fled in fear: "Let's go! They're all crazy!"; the 'Duke' exclaimed: "The King is back at last...Long live the King!"
• when it was safe, as Plumpick ran out of the front entryway's metal gate, he neglected to lock it behind him; on the street, he was accidentally wrapped up by telephone wires from a cut-down telephone pole; he lost his balance, struck his head on a stone wall, and fell unconscious onto the cobblestones
• he remained unconscious as all of the newly-liberated, insane, eccentric and crackpot asylum inmates escaped the hospital through the open gates of the asylum; in a nearly dialogue-free sequence, they merrily assumed 'normal' roles of the town's villagers for a short while when they were allowed to raid the abandoned shops and adopt festive costumes and makeup (e.g., a bishop's mitre hat and robes, etc.); they were free to adopt fantasized (delusional and childlike) roles such as a church leader, the town's barber, firefighters, circus performers, rugby players, soldiers, a whorehouse 'Madame' with consorts, and a Duke with his Duchess wife and children

Plumpick Marveling at the Well-Dressed Townsfolk Parading in the Town's Courtyard

• Plumpick awakened, stole a Doctor's clothing, and entered the town's courtyard square to marvel at the elegantly-dressed residents parading there; he attempted to speak to the town's 'barber' in his shop to ask about the phrases: "The mackeral likes frying" and "The knight strikes at midnight," and he also inquired about the Germans' plans, but became confused when told: "That's not my department"; he also spoke to General Geranium (Pierre Brasseur) at the desert carnival location (with wild animals, lions and a bear) about the location of the blockhouse (where the munitions were to blow up), but the General responded: "I don't understand"; Plumpick became exasperated: "I'm not here for cock-and-bull stories!"
• Plumpick ran back to the asylum, found the open gates and the entire facility abandoned and vacant; he realized that the "odd" patients had evacuated and were inhabiting the town; as he entered, he thought to himself about the name he had earlier made up: "King of Hearts! I'm the king of the fools! I have to warn them!"; he retrieved his bird-cage and wrote a letter to be delivered to HQ by his pigeons: "Wrong town. Inhabitants odd. Chimpanzee checkmate. Encountered single bear, two lions, but no contact with Mackerel"; the message made no sense to the Colonel who felt Plumpick had gone crazy

Coquelicot (aka Poppy) (French-Canadian Actress Genevieve Bujold) in the Brothel

• in the brothel, when the Madame realized that she wasn't the right girl for Plumpick, she introduced him to the naively-innocent, young coquettish Coquelicot (aka Poppy) (French Canadian actress Genevieve Bujold) - a dancer; she was described as "unspoiled and beautiful"; the Madame set up Poppy to be Charles' consort for sex, to teach him "a thing or two about the birds and the bees....Love is played like checkers, black and white", although Poppy was inexperienced; Poppy asked: "Will he get naked?"; she asked him directly: "What would you like?" Plumpick answered: "To lose my memory"
• the asylum patients interrupted when they recognized Plumpick as their leader - "The King of Hearts" -- "Love has brought the King back to us!"; the Duke and the General kidnapped "The King" and stripped him of his clothes and dressed him as royalty; the Duke also introduced his wife The Duchess (Françoise Christophe) with their grown children; it was decided that Charles would be anointed as their "King"
• the Duchess and would-be "King" rode together in a dromedary-drawn open carriage to the town's cathedral for the ceremony, cheered on by playful onlookers; however, Plumpick was more worried about everyone's fate: "They will all die, and there's nothing I can do about it...Everything will blow up, as sure as my name is Charles," but he was ignored by the inmates who apparently enjoyed living in the present

Plumpick Perplexed and Bewildered by the Coronation Ceremony

A Choir of Brothel Whores Singing at the Coronation

The Reluctant Plumpick Led Back To the Altar by Poppy To Be Crowned "King"

• after intercepting one of Charles' pigeons, the Germans led by their Colonel returned to the town to investigate, but found themselves surrounded by revelers in the streets ("What is this carnival?"); seated in the front of the cathedral, Plumpick was nervous, bewildered and dumbfounded by the elaborate but magical coronation ceremony in the church, including singing by the Madame's choir of whores; he found an excuse to race out the church to find a "crown," as three British soldiers warily entered the town on a scouting expedition; after being spotted by the Germans, Plumpick was forced to retreat back into the cathedral, where he reluctantly accepted the masquerade of being coronated and crowned their "King of Hearts" - Poppy took his hand and led him back to the front of the cathedral
• after the crowning, the bishop delivered a flowery, non-sensical speech to the congregation:
  • "My dear flock. Ladies. Citizens. Life is a valley of tears. We enter this world with a cry and we leave with a sigh. And do you think it pleases God to see His creatures crying all the day long? In truth l tell you, our kingdom, His kingdom -- it's Joy. The Arab in his desert carries with him his fountains and Heaven! -- Heaven is the empire of the prisoner behind bars....The fish in the pond, the bird in the bush, the lamb in his wool, friends in our thoughts and ourselves -- in our voices like the scent of the rose. That is grammar and the Law. We have decided to be happy and nothing can stop us!...Amen!"
• meanwhile, the German Lieutenant Hamburger had entered the cathedral to search for Plumpick, and spotted him in the front of the church trying to evade capture behind a cloud of incense smoke; the Lieutenant was alerted to the theft of his two tank-vehicles outside in the courtyard (by the barber and the General); he ordered the cathedral doors to be bolted from the outside before running off after his tanks; realizing that they were powerless, the Germans were forced to flee, as the newly-crowned "King" rang the cathedral's bells to celebrate; he scaled down from the bell-tower to the courtyard and unbolted the outer cathedral doors to save everyone; he realized the "blockhouse" was the large concrete structure standing in the courtyard
• "King" Plumpick was exuberant: "We're saved! I found the blockhouse! The enemy has fled! Long live the King! Long live my people!"; the Duke added: "Everyone to the Throne Room to start a celebration that will last three years!"; the three British soldiers stood aghast as the townsfolk rode bikes through the village streets

Plumpick Attempting to Hide From Being Recognized	The German Lieutenant Spotting Plumpick in Front of the Cathedral
The Coronated "King" Plumpick Declaring Victory Over the Germans: "Long Live the King!"	The Townsfolk Celebrating the King's Crowning by Riding Bicycles Through the Village Streets

• however, Plumpick still remained frantic knowing that the village was about to be obliterated; he warned the three British soldiers about the uncovered "blockhouse" in the courtyard: "The whole thing might blow up at any moment"; the three soldiers knocked the insane-acting Plumpick unconscious; but then, they thought that they were also hallucinating after seeing an elephant in the courtyard, and other strange sights of the costumed villagers; the trio finally decided that it was too crazy to remain there and they fled: "Let's get out of here"
• meanwhile, the Duchess vainly attempted to awaken Plumpick with a kiss; he was carried in a procession, but he could not be aroused or stirred; the Duchess proposed: "A woman is what he needs! A woman of his own"; and the Madame added that she knew the perfect female for him - back at the brothel: "I know whom he needs, and he loves her too!"

Poppy's Exquisite Tightrope Walk Between Two Buildings

• in the brothel, the Madame selected the virginal neophyte Poppy to be the "King's" fiancee: "A pearl. Innocent as an apple" - they advised: "She'll have to stick out her chest more. Head still. Only the legs move. Some blue on the eyelids. An orange blossom in her bosom"; but Poppy just simply wanted to demonstrate her talent as an acrobatic circus tightrope walker; wearing her favorite yellow tutu, she grabbed a matching yellow umbrella and traversed on a wire between two buildings; the Duchess applauded: "The King's marrying an acrobat!"; at the end of her wire-walk, Poppy stepped into her destination - the second building's window, and into the King's presence; everyone present quietly tiptoed out to give them privacy
• Poppy stretched out her hand and awakened him; he asked: "Who are you?" and she responded with a smile: "Poppy. Your fiancee"; although he declined, claiming that he was a "loner," they kissed to "make up for lost time," the bell-tower tolled 6 o'clock, reminding Plumpick that it was only 6 hours until the munitions "blockhouse" in the square outside the cathedral would blow up; he ran outside to the blockhouse and began using a pick-axe to try and break into it, as he exclaimed: "This is madness! I can't let it happen! I've gottta get in there!"; he unsuccessfully attempted to ram the structure with one of the tank vehicles; he was amazed when the villagers brought out folding chairs to sit, watch and applaud his antics atop the concrete block

Plumpick Attempting to Break Into the "Blockhouse" With a Pick-Axe

Pile of Clocks Gathered to be Destroyed

The "King" on Horseback Leading a Procession to Leave the Village

• he begged the townsfolk to save themselves: "I'll be blown up! Do you know what dying means? Do you have any idea?...Listen. There are bombs wired here. Time bombs. Before midnight, in a little while, a spark-- explosion! It's all over!"; the villagers thought they were helping by gathering all of the village's clocks ("tick-tocks") to destroy them, but even Poppy reacted: "Who cares?"; although Plumpick on horseback led a procession through the town's outer gate, he was unable to persuade the townsfolk to continue following him and evacuate from the town to save themselves; they shouted out to him from the top perimeter of the town's wall: ("There's a wall between us and the world out there. lt's too dangerous...You have no idea how wicked they are out there!"); he was forced to return
• the villagers subsequently celebrated their "King's" return by dancing the polka, but Plumpick reminded the Duke about his very short memory: "Yesterday you were in an asylum!"; some were disgruntled with their new leader: "Who needs a king? We're all equal"
• that evening, Poppy attempted to comfort the disconsolate "King" and keep him company; at three minutes until midnight, he told Poppy by his side as they looked out the window at the clock tower: "Three minutes until 12:00. ln three minutes, it'll be over. I don't want to die...There are only three minutes to live"; Poppy responded: "Three minutes is great"; he agreed and kissed her; and then fortuitously, she off-handedly mentioned: "You'll see the knight come out...the knight comes out at midnight...up there! On the clock at midnight"; he suddenly cried out: "The password!" - he realized how he could defuse the bomb; after climbing up and viewing the clock's mechanism, he placed his body between the knight and the bell; he was struck in the back of the head by the knight's mace and thus saved the town
• the villagers again were jubilant - they crowded the courtyard and celebrated with band music and dancing; the "King" passed his crown to Poppy to thank her: "Long live the Queen!"; viewing the town with binoculars, the British Colonel was pleased with the outcome: "Good show! Pumpernickel pulled it off. The man's a hero. The town is ours"; however, the German Colonel was upset that the bomb didn't go off as expected, and his Lieutenant Hamburger was blamed and punished by being shot dead by a firing squad

Queen Poppy to the "King": "I want to make love"

Pvt. Plumpick Congratulated by His British Colonel

The "King" and His Queen Kissing During the Fireworks Display

• with the King's crown on her head, Queen Poppy encouraged: "I want to make love...You must be marvelous"; they were revealed to be lying together in a store window display; outside, the villagers danced into the night; the British Colonel marched into town with a contingent of troops, and congratulated Pvt. Plumpick for his great success: "Good show, Pumpernickel. First rate. Jolly good"; the Colonel also joined the celebration by dancing a Scottish jig for the villagers; and then, he settled down in the arms of the Duchess and expressed his pleasure: "This is the greatest day of my life!" - he ordered fireworks using "Cannon, mortar, powder"; under the showering fireworks, the King and Queen kissed, and the Colonel also smooched with the Duchess; from a distance, the display of fireworks was noticed by a group of nearby German soldiers who remarked at the surprise turn-around: "Victory! The town has blown up! Everyone is dead!"
• by the next morning, the Colonel prepared to leave and ordered his troops to "fall in" (line up) behind the church - including Pvt. Plumpick; he had a tearful goodbye with his Queen who promised to be waiting for him at the brothel; he promised her: "Don't be afraid. I'll return covered with medals"
• as the squadron of British troops was about to march off to fight another war, Poppy, the Duchess and other brothel members extracted the "King" away from the parade line; although he protested ("Let me go, I have to leave"), Plumpick was bound and gagged and positioned on an upper balcony to watch as the British forces marched away; the group on the balcony observed, in horror, as the German forces simultaneously entered the village, and faced off against the British troops on the opposite side of the town's courtyard; dueling bands played opposing national anthems before they senselessly slaughtered each other; the two commanders also rode up to each other on horseback and shot each other dead - it was a scene of tremendous carnage; Plumpick was the sole surviving soldier from either side after the bloody confrontation; General Geranium remarked: "Don't you think these actors are a bit over the top?"; the Queen wondered to herself: "What funny people"

Stepping Over Dead Bodies, the Inmates Voluntarily Walked Back to the Asylum's Gate, Discarded Their Costumes, and Locked Themselves Back Inside

• it was then announced that the village was about to be "liberated" by thousands of French forces seen coming from every direction; the Duke decided to retreat: "This joke has lasted long enough"; the General also told the "King": "Your Majesty, we leave you with your people"; the Queen told her "King": "Goodbye, Charles"; it was clear that the frightened inmates were unable to face reality or any more violence; after stepping over the dead bodies, the patients voluntarily and calmly returned "home" to their asylum; they discarded their colorful costumes and props at the entryway gates into the institution, and locked themselves behind the asylum's iron bars

Pvt. Plumpick Jumped From His Regiment's Truck, and Stood Naked at the Asylum's Iron Gates For Entry With His Birdcage

• Plumpick watched as the liberating, blue-uniformed French Republic troops (with some British soldiers) entered the village; he was awarded a special "Army citation" for bravery: ("You pulverized the enemy"), but then was reassigned to another group of British troops leaving for the front immediately; however, Plumpick deserted his regiment as it left town by jumping off the back of his departing truck; as he walked toward the asylum gates, he discarded his rifle and stripped off his uniform; holding his birdcage (with his sole surviving carrier pigeon), he stood stark naked in front of the asylum's iron gates; he rang the bell (to alert two asylum nuns) who approached the gate and were totally startled; he was ready to rejoin and be committed with his asylum inmate friends in their world
• inside the institution, the 'King of Hearts' ("Your Majesty") was warmly greeted by his inmate friends and was again seen playing cards with them; General Geranium congratulated him: ("Well, you're here now. And you won't be running off anymore"); he assured them: "I'm staying here, General. I'm not going anywhere"

The Final Sequence: The "King of Hearts" Was Happily Playing Cards in the Asylum

The Duke: "The most beautiful journeys are taken through the window"

• the last line was spoken by the Duke who approached an open window and exclaimed in the film's last line of dialogue: ("The most beautiful journeys are taken through the window"); Plumpick's romanticized view was that they seemed more sane than the real world of his own military regiment that was waging war